Location: In mountainous California or Arizona or Guatemala or somewhere.

Posts: 224

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtclimber

I think that digsy want to reduce the size of her kit. A one lens solution appears to be preferable to carrying multiple lenses.

And that's why I suggested the 18-250. It's underrated, and seriously flexible. With a Kx in P mode, learning curve would not be steep. Since I got my K20D and 10-17, 18-250, 50/1.4, and AF360 flash a couple years ago, I've acquired many lenses, but the 18-250 is still on my camera most often. I drive and shuttle around Mexico and Central America a fair amount, and I find the 18-250 to be just the most utilitarian lens. I swap in other glass for special circumstances: a 24/2 or 58/2 or 85/2 for low light, a macro setup when needed, a 500/8 mirror for long reach. But the 18-250 fills most needs.

Again, the advantages of a dSLR over any P&S are better image quality, and room for expansion. I still carry my Sony DSC-V1 P&S wherever I go, but the K20D gives me much more detail and dynamic range.

__________________Too many film+digi cams+lenses, oh my -- Pentax K20D, ZX-M, M42's, P&S's, more
The opposite of LIBERAL is not CONSERVATIVE, but ENSLAVED.

While I've by no means completely discounted a FZ38 or HS10 just yet I have swung pretty heavily towards getting a DSLR - having held both in my hands and had a play I'm way for comfortable with a dslr and deep down I think that's what I really want.
as i say, i'm not 100% though so keep on trying to pursuade me a super-zoom is the way to go - my bank would appreciate it!

Anyway, at the moment I'm looking at a canon 1000d with a Canon 18-55mm IS lens and a Tamron AF 70-300mm Di LD lens.
i can get that all separately for just £500 or just under depending on whether i go new or used tamron lens (there's about £30 in it).

ALternatively camerabox.co.uk has a bundle with canon 18-55mm IS and 50-250mm IS lenses for £510 which i'm also tempted by.
in everything i've read over the last few days though the tamron seemed the better lens plus I get a bit more zoom out of it.

do either of those sound like good packages for what I need? I'm a little worried about camerabox as reviews seem top veer between absolutely awful and waiting 5 months for refunds on products that were never in stock and never received, and wonderful, got it the next day everything perfect!

As soon as I get a chance I'm going to head into a store again and have another play with the FZ38 and the HS10, but I really worry if i don't get a DSLR i'll spend my whole trip wishing I had!

i had the same problem with the tc and I decided to buy both , first I'll buy a super zoom , I will learn how to shoot pictures with it , If Im satisfied with the IQ , I wont go for a dslr , besides I buy a super zoom to shoot movies , I like zooming while recording so I can I things far away and the stereo sound over the Mono sound in most of DSLRs . Then when I get used to some shooting basic , If I want to upgrade , I will definately go for a DSLR .

Thanks for hanging in there and being careful in making your choice. Considering your last three options, I like the one from www.camerabox.co.uk. It includes the 1000D body the canon 18-55mm and the Canon 55-250mm. That is really a great combination.

I shot with exactly that combination for almost a year, and then our son who has become quite a good photographer, said he really wanted to "barrow" that kit for some shooting. Well, here it is almost a year later and 1000D body and lenses have never returned home. It is hard to reprimand our son when he is doing so well with the kit, but I especially miss that 55-250mm lens as it was so nice and sharp.

Anyway, at the moment I'm looking at a canon 1000d with a Canon 18-55mm IS lens and a Tamron AF 70-300mm Di LD lens.
i can get that all separately for just £500 or just under depending on whether i go new or used tamron lens (there's about £30 in it).

ALternatively camerabox.co.uk has a bundle with canon 18-55mm IS and 50-250mm IS lenses for £510 which i'm also tempted by.
in everything i've read over the last few days though the tamron seemed the better lens plus I get a bit more zoom out of it.

The Canon 55-250 IS is sharper wide open than the Tamron 70-300 Di LD, but stopped down, they're about equal. The Canon has less chromatic aberration but more vignetting.

The Tamron has the extra reach, and the 1:2 macro compared to the Canon's 1:3.2. The Canon is stabilized, but the Tamron is less expensive (at least it is here in the US.)

I would love to, but there's no postponing anything at the moment - i've only got one more pay cheque coming my way before I go on holiday, so the money is what it is, and i'm just going to try do the best I can with what I have.

As it stands, i'm actually veering towards the 70-300mm tamron lens - I've read a few reviews on here that said there wasn't much between it and the canon 55-250mm, it works out about £50 cheaper and I could do with the extra reach as I'll be on safari. i know neither of these are ideal wildlife lenses but again, trying to make the best out of what I can afford and I think the extra 50mm will come in handy!

Will probably order tomorrow unless I change my mind overnight again - I need to get my hands on this while I still have some time to play with and get used to it before I go away.